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Johannes Brahms

Life and Letters

Translations by Styra Avins and Josef Eisinger

Johannes Brahms

Life and Letters

Translations by Styra Avins and Josef Eisinger

Description

This book is the first comprehensive collection of the letters of Johannes Brahms ever to appear in English. Over 550 are included, virtually all uncut, and there are over a dozen published here for the first time in any language. Although he corresponded throughout his life with some of the great performers, composers, musicologists, writers, scientists, and artists of the day, and although thousands of his letters have survived, English readers have until now had scant opportunity to meet Brahms in person, through his words, and in his own voice.

The letters in this volume range from 1848 to just before his death. They include most of Brahm's letters to Robert Schumann, over a hundred letters to Clara Schumann, and the complete Brahms-Wagner correspondence. They are joined by a running commentary to form an absorbing narrative, documented with scholarly care, provided with comprehensive notes, but written for the general music lover--the result is a lively biography. The work is generously illustrated, and contains several detailed appendices and an index.

Johannes Brahms

Life and Letters

Translations by Styra Avins and Josef Eisinger

Author Information

Styra Avins is Adjunct Professor of Music History at Drew University, New Jersey. Josef Eisinger is Professor Emeritus at Mount Sinai Medical School, New York.

Johannes Brahms

Life and Letters

Translations by Styra Avins and Josef Eisinger

Reviews and Awards

"...this is the first comprehensive selection to appear in English....a readably translated collection spanning Brahms's entire adult life and encompassing the widest circle of his friends and acquaintances, puts Anglophone readers in closer contact with the composer, and deeply in [Avins'] debt....[a] delightful and absorbing book. It is going to become an absolutely central work of reference."--BBC Music Magazine

"A valuable contribution to Brahms scholarship....Remarkably direct and clear, the translations of Brahms' own words ought to lead to many new avenues of research. An excellent choice for all academic collections."--Choice

"Richly informative."--The Sunday Times (London)

"Even if Ms. Avins had merely presented these 564 letters...with only a few footnotes, she would have performed a great service....But she has done more than that. She has provided a thoroughly researched, well-thought-out and abundantly annotated continuity that places each letter in its context....This biography-cum-autobiography will give great pleasure to lay readers as well as specialists."--The Wall Street Journal

"There are many gems here...much to be gleaned from what Avins has selected....Those who seek to be on more intimate terms with Brahms and his circle...will find much to pore over in this collection."--Los Angeles Times